Integrative Seminar in Environmental Studies, Spring 2009, O'Donnell

[ Policies ] [ Calendar ] [ Readings ] [ Students' Custom Syllabi ]

Policies

last update: January 12, 2008

 

Instructor Information
Dr. Kevin O'Donnell, http://faculty.etsu.edu/odonnell/, odonnell@etsu.edu 423 439-6679
Office: Burleson 313; spring '09 Office Hours:  MW 10-11am, 3:15-4:15pm; T 12-2pm, in B313

 

Course Description

Envs 4950 Integrative Seminar in Environmental Studies, sec 001

MWF 9:20am-10:15am B404

This course is a "capstone" experience for Environmental Studies minors who are preparing to graduate.  It is typically a small course, taught almost as an independent study:  Each studen designs a customized syllabus and, in collaboration with the instructor, selects or plan a service activity or project related to environmental studies.  The class does not meet during every scheduled class session.  (See "Calendar," above, for schedule details.)

 

Requirements

1.  Syllabus and course materials:  Students will submit a customized syllabus by the third week, to be postedon the web.

2.  20 to 30 hours service activity or project. 

3.  Readings and discussion:  Students will read two books in common with other students, plus other readings selected in consultation with the instructor.

4.  Writing project:  Students will produce approximately 10 pages of formal writing--form, audience, and purpose to be related to service activity or project and determined by the student in consultation with instructor.  Students will read drafts of each other's writing, and will present work to each other in a class forum at the end of the semester. 

 

Final Grade Breakdown

- 20-30 hours of service work: 20%

- Major writing project, related to service work: 35%

- Presentation to classmates, based on major writing project: 10%

- Syllabus, reading responses, and other weekly assignments: 25%

- Miscellaneous--attendance, draft, informal in-class writing, etc: 10%

 

Required Texts

- Jerome Groopman, ed.  The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2008.  Houghton Mifflin, 2008.  $14.00. ISBN: 0618834478

- Van Jones.  The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems.  $25.95.  HarperOne, 2008.  ISBN: 0061650757

- Bill McKibben.  The End of Nature.  Random House, 2006 (1987).  $14.95.  ISBN: 0812976088 - Articles posted on the web.  (Click on "Calendar," above, for reading assignment details.)

- Other readings chosen by each student, in consultation with instructor, for customized syllabus.